Sep 30, 2012

Chuck Bail

Chuck Bail became a stuntman almost by accident. In 1957, he was traveling with a Wild West Show touring Asia when the show ran out of money. In the photo below from that tour, Chuck is dressed as an Indian. Also in the photo is stuntwoman Polly Burson, who did a trick riding act. ﻿

The U.S. Embassy in Thailand sent the troupe to Los Angeles where Chuck quickly found work as a stuntman.

Below: In this photo, Chuck dives off a balcony while Hal Needham waits below.

Below: Chuck became Peter Breck's stuntman on "The Big Valley" which ran for four seasons.

Below: Chuck worked on many TV series in the 1960's like "Batman." Chuck, in the black outfit, is doubling Victor Lundin.

Below: Chuck also did some acting, like this appearance with Davy Jones on "The Monkees."

Here's Chuck walking behind John Wayne as one of "The Green Berets" (1968)

Here is a rare wardrobe still of Chuck from the same film.

Below: This is Chuck "falling" a horse in Peru for Dennis Hopper's "The Last Movie" (1971)

Below: Chuck on location. Note the elbow pads.

Below: Chuck (right) has a temporary hold on David Carradine in the "Dark Angel" episode of "Kung Fu" (1972).

Below: Chuck (left) played the stunt coordinator in Richard Rush's classic, "The Stunt Man" (1980). On the right is Steve Railsback.

Chuck went on to have a successful directing career. His directing credits include, "The Gumball Rally," "Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold," and episodes of "CHiPS," and "Knight Rider."

Chuck appeared in this 1958 commercial, playing the bad guy, for Mattel Toys.